 May 2008 : Thailand ranked 118th in Global Peace Index
Thailand 118th on the Global Peace Index Thailand is 118th out of 140 on the Global Peace Index. Top place goes to Iceland. Amongst Asian countries, Singapore is 29th, Vietnam 37th, Malaysia 38th, Laos 51st, Indonesia 68th, Cambodia 91st and Myanmar, the only country to trail Thailand is 126th. The Global Peace Index was set up in 2007 by the Australian based Institute of Economics and Peace, and developed in consultation with an international panel of experts from peace institutes and think-tanks, together with the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney, Australia. The data was analyzed by the Economist Intelligence Unit and the Index first launched in May 2007. It claims to be the first study to rank countries according to external and internal peacefulness factors, such as its levels of violence and crime and expenditure for military and wars etc. Next year Budget at 1,835 trillion baht On 20th May, the Cabinet approved the National Budget for 2009 at 1,835 trillion baht or 18.2% of GDP and 10.5% higher than fiscal 2008. Revenue is estimated at 1,585.5 trillion, so a deficit of 249,500 million baht is expected. The Education Ministry received the most at 330 billion or 18% of the total while Energy Ministry received the least at 2.5 billion baht or 0.1%. Seven percent will be allocated to the Funds and Revolving Capital while 63 billion baht for mega projects will come from foreign loans. The Cabinet also approved 18 billion baht for provincial budget following the 2007 Constitution which authorized all provinces to be self-planning-self-budgeting. The budget will be directly used to stimulate socio-economic growth and management of natural resources and environment through public-private development projects. Among the provinces, Nakorn Srithammarat received the most at 451 million baht, Trad the least at 160.4 million. Thai economy growing at 6% On 26th May, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) stated that the national economy is growing at the rate of 6% in the first quarter of 2008, against 5.7 % in the previous quarter due to increases in public expenditures, private investments and exports. Imports increased from 6.2% to 10.3% and overall investments increased from 4% to 5.4% reflecting public confidence in government’s economic policies. However, overall living costs and food prices are also increasing due to the constant rise of petrol price. Economic recovery is impeded because inflation has almost doubled from 2.9% in the last quarter of 2007 to 5% in the first quarter of 2008. NESCB expects that launched initiatives will stabilize economic growth rate at 4.5%-5.5% as was estimated in February. Lower rank state officials gets more pay On 13th May, the Cabinet approved a Ministry of Finance’s proposal to grant each of 301,305 lower rank state officials, level 1-5, an ad hoc financial assistance of 500 to 800 baht per month, the equivalent of 6% of their salary, to help them with current economic problem. It is estimated that in total this will amount to approximately 68 million baht per month or 816 million baht per annum. The resolution, approved on 13th May is retroactive to the beginning of the month. AEC wants to seize Thaksin’s 76 billion baht The Asset Examination Commission (AEC) spokesman, Sak Korsangreang, revealed that on 26th May the AEC general assembly agreed with its sub-committee’s finding that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra abused his authority by granting benefits to his family conglomerate in connection with its telecom concession. The subcommittee, chaired by Klanarong Chantik, also recommended that the AEC file a charge under article 80 of the 1999 Anti Corruption Act, to the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court in order to seize asset, worth 76 billion baht, that the Shinawatra family obtained by selling its business to Singapore’s Temasek. Appeal Court confirmed sentence on 3 former Election Commissioners The Appeal Court, on 14th May, confirmed the Lower Court’s sentence on three former Election Commissioners, Pol. Gen. Wasana Permlarp, Wirachai Naewboonnean and Prinya Nakchatri, to a 4 year imprisonment, reduced to 2 years, and removed their voting rights for 10 years. The announcement of the verdict was postponed from 24th April as Wirachai Naewboonnean was unable to attend court due to illness. The case was filed in the Criminal Court by Democrat Party secretary, Suthep Tuaksuban, on grounds that the three former Election Commissioners did not investigate complaints that Thai Rak Thai Party hired two small parties’ candidates to run in the 23rd and 29th April 2006 by-elections in order to avoid its candidates having to obtain a minimum of 20% of the votes. The Lower Court found the three guilty and sentenced them to a 4 year jail term and a10 year voting ban. The Appeal Court confirmed the sentence. Democrat Party filed two law suits against the three former Election Commissioners. The first one is filed by Democrat deputy secretary, Tavorn Senneum, accusing the three un-authorizing conducted and allowed failed candidates to run in the 23rd and 29th April 2006 by-elections in order to avoid the minimum 20% votes requirement. The Lower Court’s sentenced, on July 15, 2006 , a 4 years jail term and a 10 years voting ban and the Appeal Court confirmed the verdict on April 24, 2006. Constitutional Court to decide legality of AEC The Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court decided on 14th May to refer the Asset Examination Committee’s (AEC) case against 47 defendants from the Thaksin administration and the Lottery Committee to the Constitutional Court for a consideration as to whether or not the AEC appointment and investigation is constitutional according to article 29 of the 2007 Constitution. After the 19th September 2006 coup, the Council of National Security (CNS) appointed the AEC to investigate former Prime Minister Thaksin’s conduct and allegation of conflict of interests. The AEC found that the launching of the two-and-three digit lottery was illegal and filed the case in the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court. Thirty one of the 47 defendants claimed that the AEC itself was illegal, so the Criminal Division for Persons Holding Political Positions of the Supreme Court is asking the Constitutional Court for a ruling on two points: In any event, the Samak Administration is re-starting the two-and-three digit lottery online this September. AEC found evidence of corruption in CTX case The Asset Examination Committee’s spokeman, Sak Korsangruang, stated on 6th May that in the CTX case, the AEC general assembly found grounds of corruption from evidence gathered in the USA and Thailand. Three parties: politicians, public officials and the private sector, were involved in the purchase of the CTX 9000 bomb scanners and baggage conveyor system at Suvarnabhumi Airport. The corruption costs a loss to the state of approximately 1,700 million baht. Additional investigations will be required before AEC could proceed any further. New smart ID card free until year-end On 21st May, the Cabinet approved in principle, a draft Identification Card Bill which will require a multi-purpose smart card to be issued to every Thai citizen from birth. The new ID card will show the holder’s personal information, such as personal and family names, date of birth, home address, photograph and the ID number but will not include religion. For a new born child, the parents will be required to obtain an ID card in which fingerprints instead of a photograph will be taken. Cards will be valid for 10 years instead of the usual six and cardholders beyond 70 years old will not need to renew their cards. New cards will be free until 31st December 2008, thereafter a fee will be charged. Southern Development Plan at 50 billion On 20th May, the Cabinet approved in principle the Southern Development Plan proposed by the Southern Border Provinces Administration Center (SBPAC) subject to a revision and approval by the Budget Bureau. It appears that some of the projects are similar and may overlap with those of other state agencies. According to the plan, a 50 billion baht budget will be allocated to develop the Southern Border Provinces between 2008 and 2011. New bill to set up Probation Service On 3rd May, the Cabinet approved a draft Probation Bill proposed by the Justice Ministry and approved by the Council of State. The Bill will now go to the Parliamentary Liaison Committee prior to submission to Parliament. Principles of the Bill include a setting up of a Probation Committee, the remit of the Committee’s and probation officers powers and the principle of reconciliatory justice. There will be a fund for crime prevention and rehabilitation. The bill also provides guidelines for probation procedure and penalty for officers who disclosed confidential information gained in the course of work. Revised Labor Law extends further protection to employees On 26th May, the Director General of the Labor Protection and Welfare Department, Padungsak Devahasdin, announced the enforcement on 27th May of the revised Labor Act B.E. 2551 (2008). The new Act extends further protection to employees, for example,
Energy conservation in government offices includes not wearing jackets On 27th May, the Cabinet approved an energy conservation campaign proposed by the Finance Ministry that all state offices should set an example on energy conservation by controlling office room temperature at 25-26 degree Celsius, leaving off their suit-jackets at meetings and controlling vehicle speed at maximum 90 km per hour. As an incentive, any public agency achieved a saving can keep the surplus funds in the agency and not be required to return it to the Budget Bureau as usual. The Finance Ministry is also considering a waiver of excise, import and income taxes on NGV and E85 engine vehicles and spare parts for a period of 4 years. House of Parliament ends its current session On 6th May, the Cabinet approved a draft ordinance to end this session of the House of Parliament on 20th May, as it had already convened for 120 days. The draft will be shortly submitted for royal endorsement. ccc From : http://www.fpps.or.th |